Amides are less basic than amines because ________.

A) the carbonyl group donates electrons by resonance
B) the carbonyl group withdraws electrons by resonance
C) the nitrogen does not have a lone pair of electrons
D) the nitrogen has a full positive charge
E) amides do not contain nitrogen

The carbonyl group in amides withdraws electrons via resonance, making the nitrogen less basic than in amines. The lack of a lone pair or a full positive charge on nitrogen (options C and D) are not reasons for the reduced basicity. Option A is incorrect because the carbonyl group donates electrons via resonance in amines, making them more basic. Option E is also incorrect because amides do contain nitrogen.